New Hampshire Cosmetology Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Conducting a patch test before a coloring service is essential for checking for allergic reactions. This test typically involves applying a small amount of the color product to a discreet area of the skin, often behind the ear or on the inner arm, and monitoring for any adverse reactions such as redness, itching, or swelling over a specified period, usually 24 to 48 hours.

This precaution ensures that the client does not have an allergy to the ingredients in the dye, which could lead to severe skin reactions during or after the coloring process. It's a critical step in ensuring client safety and comfort, and it helps maintain a professional standard of care in cosmetology practices.

The other options address different functions: choosing the right color pertains more to the client's preferences and hair type; assessing hair texture helps determine suitable products and techniques but does not relate to allergy testing; and determining product efficacy pertains to how well a product performs rather than the client's health and safety.